Having a nurse as a CEO?

Stargazer · Jul 2, 2002

I don't think a nurse automatically makes a good administrator, but a good DON has a solid chance of being a good CEO.

Please keep us updated on what happens, kaycee!

NurseDennie, BSN, RN · Jul 2, 2002

I used to work for a hospital which was run by nuns who were nurses. It was WONDERFUL. Those days are over!

The first male CEO of the hospital was a nurse. Not so good, but certainly better than the person in there now. New guy is an MD with MBA. No $$ for nurses, but they NEEDED to make the corridor from the parking garage black-and-white marble TILE. Yeah, that's a good idea.

Love

Dennie

sunnybrook83 · Jul 2, 2002

I, too, worked at a facility that had a nun/nurse as CEO. It was a tight run ship, the Doc's didn't rule and everyone was treated with respect. It showed in the employees attitudes and the pt care. Then they had a non-nurse, CEO and things went to he** in a handbasket- morale stank and it was the beginning of the downturn for the facility. I hope your new CEO does a great job!

PS What facility in Pittsburgh?

Ted · Jul 2, 2002

Cool to the Nurse/DON/CEO thingy!!!

(Sorry . . . I'm tired and can't think of anything more intellegent sounding to write. . . .)

Ted

CATHYW · Jul 2, 2002

Thumbs up to the RN/CEO! I think only folks with a medical background should run hospitals! Maybe this is the beginning of a new tide in country!

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · Jul 2, 2002

It DEPENDS on whether the nurse-CEO is still truly a "NURSE"--if you get my drift. Just having RN behind one's name, along with the usual required drivel of administrative alphabet soup (MBA, etc), does not guarantee that the titleholder is STILL a nurse or EVER HAS BEEN a TRUE NURSE AT HEART.

Case in point--I am aware of a small rural hospital in North Carolina who hired a NURSE as DON who quickly became CNO (Chief Nursing Officer), CFO, and CEO--all in a matter of a few weeks!!! This person was a DISASTER (with a capital D) not only for this hospital but for the community at large. The mass exodus of nurses at this small facility and ensuing disruption of patient care made headlines!!! The hospital later had to file bankruptcy and is just now beginning to get back on its feet.

BadBird, BSN, RN · Jul 2, 2002

I think it depends on the person. Sometimes when a nurse goes into management they forget what it was like to take care of patients, hopefully this won't be the case.

LasVegasRN · Jul 2, 2002

VickyRN makes a good point. Even though they have "RN" in their signature alphabet, doesn't mean they are a nurse at heart. In one place I worked, the CEO had not worked as a nurse since the 1960's and ONLY worked for 2 years - mostly in a doctor's office. She had no concept of the reality of nursing in the present.

Nurse Ratched, RN · Jul 2, 2002

I'm with Vicky. I've seen nurse CEO's and bean counter CEO's. I don't trust a "nurse" with inch-long bright red fake fingernails lol - means it's been too long since she waded around in the realities of nursing.

Now give me an accoutant-type who's willing to change a Depends, too...

Darndest thing I ever saw was a nurse CEO who stopped on a run through a unit to start an IV. The pt wasn't a bigwig or anything - just a hard stick. Got my respect. She was very interested in the quality of pt care. She didn't last quite a year, but it was a year when you really felt like you could trust what was coming out of the big bosses. The facility was providing quality care and breaking even financially, but apparently that wasn't good enough.

Love-A-Nurse · Jul 2, 2002

originally posted by badbird
i think it depends on the person. sometimes when a nurse goes into management they forget what it was like to take care of patients, hopefully this won't be the case.

i concur.

i have work at two different facilities where the administrators were rns and they were both balanced in their job performance.

bandaidexpert, BSN, RN · Jul 3, 2002

Our facility Administrator is an RN. She runs the facility with a very resident oriented philosophy, which makes it an awesome place to work. More power to DON/CEO....